ESOCS Devotional 9 March 2026 – The Law, Christ, and Human Salvation
MEMORY VERSE: “Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.” Hosea 14:9 NLT
TEXT: HOSEA 14:1-9
O Israel, return to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
2 Take words with you,
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
“Take away all iniquity;
Receive us graciously,
For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.
3 Assyria shall not save us,
We will not ride on horses,
Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’
For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”
4 “I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall grow like the lily,
And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
6 His branches shall spread;
His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And grow like a vine.
Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
I have heard and observed him.
I am like a green cypress tree;
Your fruit is found in Me.”
9 Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.
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Traditionally, there are ten foundational commandments (Exodus 20:3-17), besides other numerous sundry laws given to Israel. These laws serve as guide to relating with God, and for human relationship management. The ten commandment were given by God orally from Mount Sinai and written on stone tablets, stored in the Ark of the Covenant. These formed the moral law of God for His people.
In our text, Hosea exhorted the people to repent and turn to God, and to obey His instructions. Iniquity was what led them astray, and true repentance of their sinful lifestyle was necessary in order that they return to God. Unfortunately, since no one can perfectly keep God’s law, no one can be declared righteous by the law. Instead, the law keeps pointing out our sins, and we lie under its curse perpetually (Galatians 3:10).
In the New covenant, God considers those who believe in Christ to have fully met the demands of the law and so, set free from its condemnation. Christ fulfilled the legal requirements of the Old Testament law, and only the moral law retains any force for Christians. However, moral law is not a condition for salvation, but a guide for Christian living, as well as an expression of our love for God, and emphasizing neighbourly love.
In Matthew 22:36-40, when the Pharisees tempted Jesus with the question, “Which is the greatest commandment in the law?” The Lord’s answer was simple and direct – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” He further emphasized on the second most important thus: “Love your neighbour as you love yourself” (GNB). The Lord concluded by stating that whoever does this, has fulfilled all that the law and prophets taught.
Here lies the incredible wisdom of God. Believe in Christ Jesus, and be counted in the number of those who have fulfilled the requirements of the law (Galatians 3:10).
Reflection
- No one can be made right with God by trying so hard to keep the law. Do you agree?
Prayer
- Lord, may Thy grace continue to be sufficient for me.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 57:15-19; Luke 11:1-13; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
ESOCS Devotional 9 March 2026
